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Any property value may be appealed annually whether the town has changed the base or not. The appeal must be timely or within the normal, annual work cycle for changing values. We consider a request timely if received before the close of annual grievance appeal hearings.

The more information submitted, the easier it will be to establish the facts and then discuss the less objective information. We typically request permission to look at the interior and exterior of the improvements to establish accurate sizes (ie gross living or building areas.) The building(s) are also evaluated for quality and condition at the same time. The land characteristics are also taken into consideration during the site visit. Supplemental information is welcome such as independent appraisal or certified market analysis when completed by a competent individual.

The property owner has the right to bring an unacceptable property value to the Board of Civil Authority, as the next step, once a proper grievance / appeal has been decided upon and written decision issued. The property owner is advised of the outcome and option to appeal including timeframe to go to the next step.

Annually property values in Shelburne are compared against 3 years of valid sales to generate a Common Level of Assessment (CLA) and Coefficient of Dispersion (COD). As of Apruil 1, 2014 the CLA in town was 98.5% with 100% indicating the sales and assessments, on average are the same. The COD was 7.99% with zero (0%) indicating all sales and assessments matched. A 20% COD indicates an unacceptably large dispersion between the assessments and valid sale prices.

The answer is one or both of two things:A. Tax Rates. The firs cause for a tax-bill increase pertains to the tax rates; both school and town. The town tax rate is the same for all properties in Shelburne and is very much determined by a combination of what is approved for spending at Town Meeting and how much change there was or the final size of the Grand List. The school rate is roughly 80% of a typical property tax bill in town and mandated by Legislature.B. Household Income. Vermont property tax payments under Act 60/68 are very sensitive to the household income. Aside from a year lag, any substantial increase or decrease in taxable income of a Vermont resident coudl have a direct impact on the property tax bill the subsequent year.

The town completed revaluations in 2003 and 2008. The real estate market is dynamic and also property owners make changes where permits may be necessary. These two things support a periodic town-wide revaluation. At present there is discussion of completing a reappraisal for 2018.

The legislature changed starting last year once again making annual reporting the standard. The form may be found with the State of Vermont income tax booklets in most town offices or on line at the State of Vermont Department of Taxes Webpage.

Last year the legislature required the towns to ask all exempt properties to report their market value or insurance replacement costs. From our perspective, this does not have any impact on the exempt status of these properties.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty at the town beach from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm 7 days a week. Pass holders may swim AT THEIR OWN RISK when there is no lifeguard on duty. Lifeguards will be on duty begining the third week of June through mid to late August.

Season beach passes are $25 for the first car and $5.00 for each additional car in the household. Passes for senior citizens (60 & older) are $5.00. Day passes are $6.00. Beach passes are available at the beach gate daily, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm during the beach season or at the Parks and Recreation Office 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Passes are for Shelburne Residents ONLY.

There is no fee for guests of beach pass holders if they are in the same car as their pass holder. Guests may enter in their own car for a fee of $6.00, as long as they are accompanied by a pass holder. Shelburne residents may purchase a one day pass for $6.00.

Shelburne residents and businesses may use the beach for group gatherings. Groups of 20 or more must schedule use through the Parks & Recreation Department. Shelburne Residents pay an event fee of $50 plus a $50 refundable deposit. Shelburne Businesses pay an event fee of $100 plus a $50 refundable deposit. All Groups must complete a Group Use Facility Form, available at the Parks & Recreation Department. Non-pass holding guests will be charged $6.00 per car.

Yes. There is no charge for Shelburne public school groups or town social service/communtiy service groups to use the town beach for picnics/gatherings. Town daycares and camps (both for profit and nonprofit) may purchase a season pass for $100.00. All groups must schedule in advance with the Recreation Office. All groups entering with children must maintain a one adult to every 5 children ratio.

A boat launch is available at the beach for small craft. The launch is located just beyond the swimming area. You must have a beach pass to use the launch. A State of Vermont boat launch is located on Bay Road for non-pass holders and non-residents. All questions regarding the beach and parks may be directed to the Recreation Department at 802-985-5110.

To register for a program in office or by mail, please return the completed registration form along with cash or check payment. You can also use our drop box on the wall outside our office during evenings and weekends. Registration forms are available to print off our web page. Hard copies are available on the wall outside the Recreation office. We would also be happy to mail or fax one to you at your request. Or try our New Online Registration by going to that page.

If you need to meet with us in person and are unable to make it to our office during office hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday), please call us and we would be happy to accommodate you and make other arrangements.

Please Note: Most of our programs use our general registration form, however, there are a few programs that have their own special registration form. These include baseball, fall soccer, youth lacrosse, and the Champlain Classic. These forms are available at the Recreation office or online.

We do not mail confirmation notices but receipts will be emailed if an email is provided at the time of registration. Consider yourself and /or your children enrolled in the course(s) of your choice when you send in a completed registration form and payment. Many classes and programs have limited enrollments and may fill. However, you will be notified if a program/class becomes full. If so, please ask to be placed on a waiting list.

We will notify you if the class has been filled, canceled or changed. Shelburne Parks and Recreation reserves the right to cancel or consolidate any program that does not meet minimum participant registration numbers. Remember, nothing destroys a program quicker than waiting until the last minute to register. Avoid disappointment and please register early. Program cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced on our office answering machine at 802-985-9551 and on local radio stations.

If we cancel a class or activity, all fees will be refunded. If you withdraw 3 business days before the first class (excluding weekends and holidays), you will recieve a full refund. If you withdraw later then 3 business days or after the first class, you will receive a 50% refund. If you withdraw after the second class, no refund or credit will be issued. Refund processing takes up to three weeks. We do not provide cash refunds or credits.

The Town Clerk’s office issues Civil Marriage licenses. The cost for a license is $60. If you would like a certified copy of your marriage certificate the cost is $10 per certified copy. Faxing your marriage worksheet ahead of your visit will expedite your processing time when obtaining your license in our office. The fax number is: 802-985-9550.